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About this Project

FST was the lead Design Engineer on the team selected by MassDOT for the design/build replacement or reconstruction of seven CSX Railroad bridges in central and western Massachusetts. The bridges are located in the communities of Westborough, Worcester, West Brookfield, Charlton, Spencer, and Brookfield. The design-build team completed work required to elevate the highway vertical clearance over CSX rail tracks and allow for double-stack freight trains.

Minimizing traffic disruption wass a crucial project element, and the team used Accelerated Bridge Construction Techniques tailored for each structure to ensuring construction was completed in the most expeditious manner possible.

The project involved an active public information process with meetings to be held in each of the six communities.

Other key issues included utility relocation and protection during construction, environmental permits, and close and constant coordination with CSX Railroad to ensure that the project remains on schedule.

More Information

Owner: Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Location: Central and Western Massachusetts

Highlights: The Massachusetts Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP) targeted structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges throughout the Commonwealth. Since 2008, the number of former MassHighway and DCR structurally deficient bridges has dropped from 543 to 416, a decline of 23%. As of October 1, 2014, the ABP has completed 160 bridge projects, with another 29 bridge projects in construction, and an additional 5 bridge projects scheduled to start construction within the next calendar year. FST has been one of the state's go-to engineering firms for this program.